A PEEP INTO THE COURT OF THE LIONS.
Athenian weaver, who opines—“To bring in—God shield us!—a lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing; for there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion living.” Yet the admonition may not have been altogether superfluous amongst the beauties of the hareem, who seldom contemplated graven images. It must not be forgotten, moreover, that the Mohammedans of Spain were somewhat lax in the matter of obedience to certain precepts of the Koràn.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE COURT OF THE LIONS.
PLATE XLI.
Centre Ornament of the Window.
No. 50.
Mosaic Dado in centre window on the N. side, Hall of Ambassadors.
The recess or divan containing these beautiful Mosaics was, doubtless, the throne of the Moorish kings. The Mosaics are as perfect as when originally executed, and seem, indeed, to be imperishable. They are formed of baked clay squeezed into moulds of the different figures, glazed on the surface.